Indonesia Highlights: Jakarta’s PSBB Extended to January 2021 | Govt Shoots Down Claim of Sinovac Vaccine’s Ineffectiveness | Indonesian Ministers Awarded for Their Integrity

KOMPAS.com – As Indonesia enters deeper into its deadly battle with the Covid-19 virus, the Jakarta Provincial Government has extended its transitory PSBB until next year.

Indonesia’s capital city has re-extended its large-scale social restrictions (PSBB) until Jan. 3, 2021 as its Governor, Anies Baswedan anticipates a surge in fresh infections after the year-end holiday.

In keeping with news surrounding Covid-19 in Indonesia, the Spokesperson for Covid-19 Vaccination for the Indonesian Food and Drug Administration, Lucia Rizka Andalusia denied reports that China’s Sinovac coronavirus vaccine triggers the weakest immunity response.

Reports are circulating that the WHO has compared 10 of the world’s Covid-19 vaccines in which Sinovac ranked the weakest.

Nearing the final days of a difficult 2020, there are some Indonesian government ministers and public figures who have been awarded for their efforts in upholding integrity and dedication to change.

The “Agent of Change 2020” achievement from the Indonesian Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform awarded several ministers including the Indonesian Finance Minister, Sri Mulyani, and the Minister of Education and Culture, Nadiem Makarim.

More details on today’s Indonesia news are highlighted below:

1. Jakarta Re-Extends Transitory PSBB until January 2021

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan explained that the move to once again extend the city’s PSBB is to anticipate a potential surge in fresh Covid-19 cases following the year-end holiday.

“We are monitoring the movement of residents and controlling the situate to avoid any virus transmission from people outside of Jakarta entering the city or vice-versa.”

After a long year spent in lockdown and uncertainties, Jakarta residents and much of Indonesia are anxiously awaiting the Christmas and New Year’s holiday.

However, Anies reasserted the call for residents to refrain from any gatherings and to stay home during the holiday break.

“It is crucial for the families in Jakarta to not travel outside the home let alone travel outside of the city.”

Source: http://go.kompas.com/read/2020/12/21/201618774/jakarta-extends-partial-lockdown-until-january-2021 

2. Indonesian Govt Denies Reports of Sinovac’s Covid-19 Vaccine Ineffectiveness

After media reports circulated with claims that the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine is the weakest of the other 10 coronavirus vaccines available, the Indonesian government has spoken out.

Spokesperson for Covid-19 Vaccination for the Indonesian Food and Drug Administration, Lucia Rizka Andalusia denied such reports.

She added that the WHO has not issued any official documents or information regarding the immunity response of the 10 Covid-19 vaccine candidates which the government has confirmed with the WHO Indonesia.

Lucia asserted that the Indonesian government remains committed to providing Covid-19 vaccines that are safe, effective, and works fast.

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/12/21/18142791/jubir-vaksinasi-bantah-sinovac-dinilai-paling-lemah 

3. Indonesian Govt Awards Ministers, Public Officials for Integrity

The Indonesian government awarded several ministers and public figures in recognizing their dedication to change and upholding integrity.

The Indonesian Finance Minister, Sri Mulyani joins the ranks of Minister of Education and Culture, Nadiem Makarim, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arifin Tasrif as well as the Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Laoly for the achievement.

The Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi, and the Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning, Sofyan Djalil also took home the prize.

The “Agent of Change 2020” accolade came from the Indonesian Minister Tjahjo expressed his appreciation to the 763 government units across Indonesia who have worked to establish an “integrity zone” encompassing an Anti-Corruption Area and Clean Bureaucratic Services Area.

Source: http://go.kompas.com/read/2020/12/21/195534874/indonesian-govt-awards-ministers-public-officials-for-integrity